Maker’s Mark Candied Pork Belly with Succotash Fricassee

Maker’s Mark Candied Pork Belly with Succotash Fricassee

By Chef Craig Deihl

This dish is all about patience. The pork belly tenderizes while it slow-roasts in the oven. The magic is during the last 10 minutes under the broiler when the skin puffs up and becomes crisp. The tangy sweet Maker’s Mark® glaze pairs nicely with the richness of the pork belly.

Servings: 6–8

Prep Time:20 minutesCook Time:4 hoursReady In:4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup Maker’s Mark® Bourbon

2 pounds pork belly, skin on

3 tablespoon kosher salt

1 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

2 tablespoons garlic, crushed and minced

1/4 cup honey

2 tablespoons sherry or apple cider vinegar

6 tablespoons butter

4 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

6 cups water

1/2 cup fresh butter bean or lima bean

1/2 cup fresh crowder peas (black-eyed peas are a good substitute)

1/2 cup hominy, cooked

1/4 cup chives, minced

Instructions

For Pork Belly preheat oven to 275°F

Using a sharp knife score the skin of the pork belly in a checkerboard design.

In a bowl combine the 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, sage, thyme and garlic.

Rub the pork belly on both sides with mixture until evenly coated.

Place pork belly in a roasting pan skin side up.

Place in the oven and bake for 3-1/2 hours, turn oven to broil and cook for 10–12 minutes until the skin puffs up evenly.

Remove from oven and let rest for 30–40 minutes at room temperature.

Using a serrated knife, cut the meat into 1/2-inch-thick pieces and reserve.

Place the honey, Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, vinegar, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 teaspoons salt and pepper in a large sauté pan.

Place over medium high heat and reduce by a third.

Place the pieces of crispy pork belly in the pan and increase to high heat.

Cook until the Maker’s Mark® is syrupy and glazes the pork belly.

Remove from heat and keep warm.

Place a small pile of succotash in the middle of a plate.

Place the pork belly on top of the succotash.

Nape the pork belly with the Maker’s Mark® glaze and drizzle some of it around the plate.